The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday failed to release detained journalist Tim Elombah despite court order granting him bail.

“The bail conditions were satisfied in full since yesterday,” Elombah.com Publisher, Daniel Elombah, said yesterday night. “We give them till 12pm today and we file contempt charges,” the London-based journalist and lawyer told News Express.

Justice Ajoke of FCT High Court Wuse 2 had signed a production warrant in respect of Tim Elombah, the Editor of Elombah.com

“A court official accompanied by lawyers personally went to STS Office at SARS where Tim is being held to deliver the warrant and have Tim released to his care.

“The IGP and the Commandant, ACP Kolo Yusuf, are now liable for contempt!” Dan Elombah said in a statement.

It would be recalled that an Abuja High Court on Tuesday ordered the immediate release of Tim Elombah, who was arrested with his three brothers and kept after the others were allowed to go home.

Justice Ajoke had in her ruling directed the Nigeria Police Force to release Tim Elombah within 24 hours with a condition of one reasonable surety with N500,000 in like sum.

The court took the decision following a suit on a Fundamental Right Application and N1 billion damages against Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris and the Police.

“Elombah’s attorney, Festus Keyamo, said in court papers that “about the 1st day of January, 2018, the caused the men and officers of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad to invade the family compound of our clients in Edoji, Uruagu Nnewi, Anambra State.

“Six persons (including our clients) were arrested, handcuffed like common criminals and driven to the SARS office in Nnewi. They were subsequently taken to the SARS headquarters in Awkuzu, near Awka. Up till this point, Police has not informed Daniel Elombah the reason(s) for the arrests.

“However, the Police got a Remand Order to detain Tim for seven days which expired two weeks ago and the Police are still holding Tim illegally.”

Tim Elombah is being accused of writing a disparaging article on IGP Idris. The article, however, neither had his byline nor was it published by Elombah.com

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